Lighting a Mr. Aqua 12 gallon long

[Leanan]

I'm planning a new nano build with a 12 gallon Mr. Aqua tank (36" x 8" x 9") and I'm trying to decide how to light it. I'm leaning towards a DIY T5 and LED hybrid in a canopy, and I would love some input on how to achieve that. I'm thinking of this retrofit kit from BRS: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/dimmable-t5-ho-miro-4-retrofit-kit-let-lighting.html

I'd like it to be dimmable so I don't fry my corals in such a shallow tank; would the 2 ft 2x24 watt kit be the right fit for the tank, or do I need the full 3 ft one? What kind of spread do T5's have? Also, surely 2 bulbs will be plenty? The plan is for mixed SPS/LPS, with the option in the future to go full SPS. I'd like to hang it a decent height above the tank, maybe 10 inches, if that matters.

Also, for the LED's, I'd mostly like them for moonlights and some shimmer; I'm considering this kit from RapidLED:
http://www.rapidled.com/12-solderless-led-dimmable-actinic-supplement-kit/

I have a Neptune Apex, which as I understand will be able to run the lights? This is my first build so I appreciate any advice, on any of the above! Thanks in advance.

 

[Leanan]

Bump

 

[kendo]

I have the same tank, I was running a photon 24 led fixture but just recently switched to an Ati 36" 4 bulb dimmable.

 

[Leanan]

I have the same tank, I was running a photon 24 led fixture but just recently switched to an Ati 36" 4 bulb dimmable.

Thanks so much for the reply! What kind of corals do you have? Are you happy with the 4 bulbs? Is there a ton of spillover light around the tank?

 

[kendo]

I have a mix of Lps and Sps corals, all doing great. I'm very happy with the 4 bulb Ati fixture. I was worried about the light spillage also, But there is very little and the tank looks amazing, To me anyways.

 

[Leanan]

I have a mix of Lps and Sps corals, all doing great. I'm very happy with the 4 bulb Ati fixture. I was worried about the light spillage also, But there is very little and the tank looks amazing, To me anyways.

Do you have to keep it dimmed down quite a bit to keep from burning the coral, since it's such a shallow tank? How high do you have the light hung above the surface of the water? Thanks so much for the replies!